365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 246

Information overload has been happening since the beginning of time. There is only so much a person can take in but it can be even more difficult in our culture today with television, radio, magazines, news, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. There is a lot to take in. It can be the same just reading the bible. One whole chapter can have a lot to it that you can walk away feeling like nothing really sunk in. I find if I am heading in that direction that if I stop and have a heart to heart with God asking him to make something clear that he wants to show me than the clarity will come. Sometimes, it can be a little phrase that amongst all the other words can get lost. But with the Holy Spirit’s help we can see clearly what he wants us to learn. Don’t let information overload stop you from growing in your relationship with God. Stop and ask for help.

Acts 24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said “That’s enough for now! You may leave.”

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 149

Everyday at my job is a struggle to be patient and to not fall into the complaining mode that is so easy. It is so easy to fall into the trap of complaining right along with the crowd. Thankfully today is a new day and another chance to get it right. Complaining is really just anger at not being in control and complaining with the crowd is just trying to be on their good side. So no matter the rules at my job, the lack of communication or direction, I have to let go of it all and know that God is ultimately the one in control, not a boss with too much on her plate or an owner who doesn’t really understand. Humbly, I must do my job with joy and thankfulness.

James 5:9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

365 Days of Prasie Challenge-Day 358

It is always so fabulous to finally get to a place where you know and are at peace with the direction God wants you to take. I have been researching the options on becoming a Christian counselor and have been going back and forth between the conflict of the secular route vs the biblical route.  The question hasn’t been about which route to take as I know that it is the biblical route, however, the path to take for schooling for this has been muddled.  Going the route through the NCCA (National Christian Counseling Association) or AACA (American Association of Christian Counselors) was bugging me and so I have been praying and prayed especially last evening after researching more and feeling more and more confused. So the Holy Spirit worked on me overnight, I laid in bed this morning and let random thoughts come to me and than over pouring a cup of coffee discussed my confusion with my hubbie and had the “Light Bulb Moment”. The school through the NCCA tells you that if you are not already a pastor that to counsel under the authority of the church you will need to be licensed, credential or ordained.  It sounds like a simple fix that they could help you with. I have finally concluded that being a pastor and having that seminary education of a pastor is a part of being equipped to truly counseling others. The word of God says we are to build a foundation of faith with Jesus being the cornerstone.  I have to build a foundation not just of my faith but education and wisdom through the right schooling. I know now that just being a licensed minister so I can counsel is not the right foundation. It feels like cheating. I have to lay the ground work of my counseling ministry with a strong education in the word of God. The NCCA and AACA have some great looking programs and courses that I may ultimately take on but they are not the cornerstone. So, now I will be researching finding my cornerstone and going to seminary. Thank God it’s the weekend where I will have plenty of time to tackle this. Thanks be to the Lord for making my path fully clear. You are amazing!

Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:  See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;  the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 43

So all that worrying I had about a possible surgery for my shoulder was for nothing. You would think I would have learned by now that worrying over something that may or may not happen is pointless. Thankfully, my worrying over it was short-lived and I made the choice to just be patient and wait for my doctor's appoitment before getting too freaked out about it. So, there is no bone spurs in my left shoulder like I might have thought. It's just the same thing as the last time I went in for my left shoulder which was because of an indoor sky diving injury I had over 3 years ago. Back than, it was explained that I had a "loose" shoulder so the muscles were very strained trying to keep my arm in it's socket during the indoor skying diving thing, which by the way was awesome! He basically said I have a very sensitive shoulder. Since the last shot of steriods I took gave me an allergic reaction, we are going the more conservative approach and doing physical therapy. There is relief in knowing what's going on with it and how I need to proceed. I think I am slowly learning how to avoid aggravating it but I do have to clean my house at some point so hopefully the physical therapy will do it's thing. So, I am praising God today for a direction to take and for showing me once again that worrying never gets me anywhere and I have to rely on Him.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 22

I don't know about you but my getting older experience has been all about little things. Nothing life threatening, thanks to God but little things like my hormone imbalance, cists and now boils that come up on your body in places that are aggravating and my shoulder pain. It's been the year of the shoulder for me. First my sternal-clavicle joint was seperated in a fall I took on ice and not diagnosed properly for 3 months and than my right shoulder was hurt exercising on a machine at the YMCA and diagnosed as a shoulder bone spur and now I am in pain on my left side which has been going off and on for quite some time and I believe is another bone spur issue. I had a steriod shot the last time I was in to see the doctor and my whole body went into itch mode which means I was starting to have an allergic reaction. And for those that don't know, I am allergic to allergy medication so... Yeah, not a lot of options. I ended up at my actupunturist who helped me finally get rid of the pain from the first shoulder injury and she took care of the allergic reaction. Whew! So, now I am pushing through the pain because they next option is going to have to be surgery and I didn't want to have to go there. As I sat in the hot tub last night, trying to relax after a day of putting out fires at work and fixing other people mistakes, I was listening to the music playing and these words stuck out to me... "When it's all said and done, the only thing that matters is how we have loved." It's from the song Blink by Revive. At that moment, I smiled and thought it's not about my pain at the moment but how I respond to other around me despite my pain. I can always go the easy route and be a cranky witch or I can choose to not let the pain I am feeling cover over my feelings of love for those around me. So, today I am thankful for the words of others whether they come in a song, in an email or spoken directly to me that somehow give clarity and perspective and point you back into the direction that God wants for you. So, how have you loved? Haven't heard this song? Click on the iTunes button at top left.
John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have love you.